NCR Environmental Educator

Environmental Educator 

The Environmental Educator is a valued member of the Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region team, with a responsibility for providing environmental education for DC-area students and other educational and community program services, with the support of the Education Manager.  

About Living Classrooms Foundation 

Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region is the DC-based affiliate of the Living Classrooms Foundation, established in 2001. Living Classrooms works to strengthen communities and inspire people to achieve their highest potential through hands-on learning opportunities in education, workforce development, and health and wellness, often leveraging environmental assets and maritime resources to serve as “living classrooms.” For more information, visit livingclassrooms.org. 

The Living Classrooms Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

About the Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area 

Kingman and Heritage Islands is a 50-acre State Conservation Area in the Anacostia River near RFK Stadium. Living Classrooms has managed the area on behalf of the DC government since 2007.  

Core Responsibilities for Environmental Educators: 

·        Provide comprehensive environmental education and field trip instruction primarily for students at Kingman Island and on school grounds of DC-area schools. Instruction may also take place at the James C. Dent House or at other locations as assigned.  

·        Deliver engaging, hands-on science-based lessons and programs such as field trips, in-school visits, virtual, or any combination of those. Ensure curriculum is implemented in a consistent manner across programs, while meeting the needs of different school communities. 

·        Work with the Education Manager to develop curricula based on the Meaningful Watershed Education Experience (MWEE) model and create engaging educational lessons and activities. Coordinate as needed with school staff to support their learning objectives. 

·        As models change, support the development of curricula based on school needs.  

·        Communicate with teachers before, during, and after programs for scheduling and feedback and to ensure programs are effective, safe, and efficient. This includes any grant mandated evaluation - written, informal, or other.  

·        Facilitate student feedback before, during, and after programs for comprehension and impact and to ensure programs are effective, safe, and efficient. This includes any grant mandated evaluation – written, informal, action project based, or other. 

·        Work with the Education Manager to plan and carry out our Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), traditionally with ages 14-18 in the Junior Rangers program, and up to age 14-24 in other SYEP programs  

·        Assist Education Manager to provide professional development to teachers, as requested.  

·        Maintain and build ongoing partnerships with schools and other organizations that support environmental student action projects. 

·        Assemble and maintain educational supplies necessary for school programs, field trip programs, and community group participation. 

·        Follow safety guidelines to plan and lead informal community events, volunteer activities, and field trips as needed. 

·        Support any LCF-NCR staff by leading or assisting with community paddling sessions on the Anacostia River. This includes teaching paddling skills to beginner paddlers of all ages and supervising the safety of participants. 

·        Assist in the logistics of a community paddling program, including leading groups and individuals, monitoring weather conditions, tides, participant registration and reporting data. 

·        Prepare, break down, and clean up facilities for students and visitors to Kingman Island. 

·        Occasionally help to maintain trails and other landscapes and perform other outdoor maintenance duties on Kingman Island as needed to maintain a safe learning environment. 

·        Assist in other communication and fundraising efforts for LCF-NCR as requested. 

·        Such other duties as needed for the operations of the program, the Foundation, or as assigned by the Managing Director or Education Manager. 

Required Skills, Experience, and Other 

·        BA or BS degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in environmental science or education. 

·        A passion for nature and working with youth in formal and informal settings. 

·        Experience working with elementary, middle school, and/or high school youth in and out of the classroom, with an emphasis on youth from urban communities. 

·        Demonstrated leadership and writing skills. 

·        Familiarity with Next Generation Science Standards and Outdoor Education.  

·        Facility with the Microsoft suite of tools, including Excel.  

·        Willingness to learn to utilize Squarespace and Canva.  

·        Friendly and engaging personality, excellent public speaking skills, outdoor classroom management skills, and the ability to work collaboratively as part of the Education, Kingman, and LC-NCR teams. 

·        Reliable access to a virtual office, as needed. 

·        Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions.  

·        Familiarity with or willingness to learn about grant reporting. 

·        Ability to pass federal and state background checks, drug, and TB tests; fully vaccinated against Covid-19. 

·        Acknowledge their ability to perform the Essential Eligibility Requirements of the Green Boats waiver (linked here: https://www.kingmanisland.com/s/Green-Boats-Waiver-2024.docx) 

·        Ability to perform physically demanding tasks and lift over 50 lbs. 

·        Experience or interest in working on the Anacostia River, including kayaking, canoeing, and leading community science programming.

Additional Information 

The Environmental Educators report to the Education Manager and will regularly receive both informal and formal feedback on job performance. Salary starts at $53,000 annually, plus a full benefits package. LCF-NCR’s office is located at the James C. Dent Community Center at 156 Q St SW, Washington, DC. The Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area can be accessed from RFK Stadium Lot 6, off Oklahoma Avenue in Northeast DC.  

Much of the school year's work is expected to take place on the school grounds of DC elementary and high schools with field trips to Kingman Island and other DC outdoor locations. Much of the summer education work is expected to take place on Kingman Island, providing programming with Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program. Environmental Educators must be able to get to and work from any of these locations in a reliable manner. 

LCF-NCR’s principal environmental education format is the “Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE)” as developed by the NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training program, . MWEEs are learner-centered experiences that focus on investigations into local environmental issues that lead to informed action and civic engagement. Information on MWEE 101 is housed on the NAAEE website: https://eepro.naaee.org/learning/mwee-101-introduction-meaningful-watershed-educational-experience.